Tartaglione: Citizens Forcing Budget Shift

OnMay 9, 2012

HARRISBURG, May 9, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M . Tartaglione today praised the thousands of civic activists, educators and social service providers who traveled to Harrisburg over the past two months for helping Senate Democrats force changes in state budget priorities.

“The budget framework passed in the Senate today still falls short of meeting the goals of job creation and protecting vulnerable families,” she said. “But it’s a sign that people are being heard.”

The $27.7 billion spending plan proposed by Senate Republicans today restores $500 million of the shortsighted cuts proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett, but still leaves many working families without access to affordable child care or health insurance.

Tartaglione, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the proposal represents a positive shift in the budget debate as Senate Democrats were given an opportunity to provide significant input about their ideas and priorities.

Majority Republicans rejected a series of Democratic amendments that would have used available revenue to restore additional amounts for cash assistance, adultBasic, human services, Accountability Block Grants and child-care services.

Tartaglione voted to approve the budget bill on final passage with the intention of continuing the progress toward a budget that includes new ideas and shared sacrifice.

“While progress is refreshing, the people we heard in the Rotunda and on the steps of the Capitol since the governor’s budget address should continue making their voices heard,” Tartaglione said. “We have a long way to go.”